John Seykora (U Penn)

Special Seminar

Speaker

John Seykora

University of Pennsylvania

Dr. John Seykora is Associate Professor of Dermatology and Pathology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of the Cornell-Rockefeller University MD PhD program performing his thesis work with Drs. Alan Aderem and Jeffrey Ravetch. Dr. Seykora received his post-graduate clinical training at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and post-doctoral training at the Wistar Institute and University of Pennsylvania with Dr. Paul Stein. His research examines the role of tyrosine kinase signaling in skin cancer and his laboratory discovered a novel negative regulator of tyrosine kinases name Srcasm (Src-activating and signaling molecule). Srcasm regulates the levels of activated tyrosine kinases through lysosomal degradation. Further research has shown that signaling through the Src kinase/Srcasm axis regulates squamous cell carcinoma formation and this pathway is regulated in parallel manner in corresponding human lesions.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common cancer in humans with approximately 650,000 cases per year in the US. Treatment of these lesions consumes hundreds of millions of dollars per year and creates substantial morbidity and mortality. We have generated models of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma using genetically engineered mice and human organotypic skin to understand this disease at a fundamental level. Study of these models has produced mechanistic insights leading to novel therapeutic approaches. This presentation will discuss how Src kinase signaling and its interaction with Srcasm regulate squamous cell carcinoma; these studies have led to new therapeutic approaches using topical small molecule kinase inhibitors.